Driven by the “Win on Sunday-Sell on Monday” philosophy, car manufacturers involvement in racing rose dramatically in the early 1960’s. Pontiac was competing with the 421, Chrysler the 413, and Chevrolet had the 409 and later the 427 “mystery motor”. It was Ford that would be King of the Hill for the 1963 season with their new 427 cubic inch, 425 horsepower rated engine. The NASCAR season began with Fords finishing in the first through fifth positions in the Daytona 500. Ford went on to win 23 of the 55 NASCAR races and the manufacturers’ championship that season. This 1963 Ford, powered by the famed R Code 427 engine is listed here in Craigslist. It is located in New Bern, NC. The owner will consider offers.
It is the owner’s wish to see this car go into a museum where it can be preserved. I can fully understand why. A 1963 Ford with the R Code engine is a find no matter what shape it’s in. The fact that one even exists in this condition is just astonishing. That’s the factory original paint you’re looking at. Only the hood and the top of the fenders have been repainted. The odometer reading is a mere 41,000 miles. Those 15″ spinner hub caps are scarce. The standard cars were equipped with 14″ wheels. R Code cars came with special 15″ x 5.5″ wheels. The trunk mounted antenna is for a two-way radio.
The seller makes no mention of it, but in addition to everything else this car has going for it, it appears to have factory air conditioning. Who knew an R Code would even be available with air? Might it have been added? I imagine this car was subjected to spirited driving on occasion, necessitating the presence of those seatbelts. Most cars back then didn’t have them. Note the grab handle on top of the dash on the passenger side. A two-way radio is mounted to the underside of the air conditioning unit.
Here’s the money shot, the mighty two four-barrel equipped 427 engine. I’m no expert on these cars, but everything under here looks bone stock to me, right down to the tower style radiator hose clamps. Note the air conditioning compressor on the far side. Being in North Carolina, it crossed my mind that this car might have been purchased for hauling moonshine. But the condition just seems too good for it to have been subjected to that kind of use and abuse. Maybe it was used by a law enforcement agency to pursue the transporters instead. That makes more sense to me. The Don Garlits Museum has a Hemi-powered Dodge Coronet 4-door that was originally owned by the FBI. What do you readers think about this hot rod Galaxie sedan?
Who’d order a car like that, that’s what I wanna know
Revenuers!
Sleeper material for sure
This is a BMW M5 before BMW had an M5…
The antenna on the trunk is a give away. Its not a CB its a 2 meter used by the gardarms
2 meter is amateur radio use only, not cops.
Good call ! Man, that looks like a vintage ICOM. Not for sure… I bet it is a crystal rig.
The first mobile rig I had was a loaner from the small school I went to. Technically it was the principals personal set he had “loaned” the school for the couple of us that got out amateur radio license as freshmen as opposed to taking photography classes. We couldn’t afford the camera equipment so I became a ham. Dig the crystal rigs and we even got the auto patch setup which allowed us to make a radio call via repeater to landline phones only we had to use radio protocol because the calls were over the two meter band. Pre cell phones circa 1983ish. 73’s
Mommas kids must of puked up lots of formula with those G forces.
Those wheel covers are ’56 Mercury with a mid-sixties Ford spinner ( don’t recall which for now ! ).
All that and the fact that it is a sedan. I’m sure the current owner has enjoyed it. Is this a $100k car?
Nowadays with the separation of wealth there are people with a lot of money. People to whom $100,000 really isn’t that much.
Usually to get their attention the car has to be pretty unique or well-hyped though.
This is certainly unique enough to draw that kind of ego cash, and the 427 has quite the reputation. By ego cash I mean it will probably end up in the collection of a very rich person who wants to brag that they’ve a one of one.
it’s really too bad that this isn’t an eBay auction. We could watch them slug it out!
No it’s a Four door
Wonder what a reasonable offer is. You would think he would at least have a ballpark figure. Sure is cool if its the real deal!! Hope someone gets a shot at this sleeper!!!
wow
Interesting car. Yes, there were the odd four-door machines fitted with the hottest factory engines under the hood. I’ve mentioned previously that I have copies of docs of a more-door Mopar sedan with a Street Hemi that was sold new in Finland.
You’ll find a video clip on YouTube that features a ’63 Impala four-door drag racing a ’63 Galaxie four-door, that the narrator claims had the ‘hottest engines’ under the hood. They appear to both be found speeds, btw…
Perhaps this one was originally built for law enforcement? The A/C unit looks to be an aftermarket installation as are the inconveniently located accessory gauges.
The aftermarket “shin bangers” would pose a serious problems. I understand their importance, but I might consider “A” pillar gauges.
The only four door 63 Galaxie R code ever built? Fat chance…. I swear I saw another one about 30 years ago.
I’ve owned three 63 Galaxies (one was a town sedan and two were 63-1/2 fastbacks); all had the venerable 390. For a car that had a curb weight of about 3800 lbs, they could really move. I always wanted an R code 63, but my preference would be the fastback as opposed to the town sedan.
Nope….factory year correct on those hub caps…….believe there was two choices – of the early and later just like the 63 1/2’s came with the different grille….
I knew a husband and wife that had a 63 1/2 R code 427 425hp it had rust ,garage kept but ran.i couldn’t buy it because of my job ( unethical to buy a patients car)..I told her it was worth a lot even with rust cuz it was original and it ran.she sold it cheap..I cried,and cursed to myself for having ethics
I’d sleep better when it was in my garage .😂😅😆
Ethics ….schmethics..well you certainly couldnt be president! When cars like these come up I’m sorry I wasn’t more assiduous in my pursuit of the filthy lucre…certainly has its uses..
It was a 2door 4spd fastback to boot
Maybe a 427 is why Andy and Barney never got outrun by criminals….
The ’64 Ford squad car was the last year for AG.( 1960 being the 1st)
I like the grab handle on top of the dash on the passengers side. Never have seen that before on one of these R code 427 cars. If conditions were right, I could see that coming in handy.
When I see that I don’t think of holding on for dear life, I see it going through somebody’s head in an accident.
Yes, I used to buy wrecked car and I can’t help but think of those things.
Sure would be nice to see the build sheet under the rear seat (or wherever they stuffed ’em in ’63).
This is obviously Fred Lorenzen’s personal car. Hey, why not? Who, unless a mistake, would order a car with this, the biggest stick Ford had in ’63? Guy across the alley when I was a kid, had a ’64 Galaxie 500 XL 2 door, with this setup. I got one ride in it, I was 9 years old, I’m 63 now, and never forgot it. It was a monster. Pretty sure Andy and Barney ( and most other police units) used the 390 or 406 for highway patrol, but not the 427, I don’t think. Pretty cool.
They were small town cops that didn’t have to go far.
I would bet there was a 289 in their car.
I think you’re right. I never did see any call outs on the fenders of their cars, maybe it was the “Mileage-maker” 6. And the cars, with the exception of the 1st 1960, were never shiny.
In comparison 1963 Chev’s looked quite nondescript to this gorgeous Ford.
Hmmmm, I guess “logical reasonable offers” are in direct relationship to “how bad to you want it and will your finances support your enthusiasm?” If the one of one claim is true and it would certainly seem possible, then this is a very desirable car. If not only for its rarity but it’s originality. Without some docs and research, maybe a Marti? It’s hard to hang a number on this beauty. I know there was an episode of a classic car show that highlighted a stunning ’66 dual quad 427 4 door Galaxie so they did build these odd balls, as did Mopar and Chevy. A thourogh, reputable appraisal is certainly in order. This is a collector piece indeed. I love it!
Marti reports start at 1967 so I don’t know how they can say it is a one of one.
Marti Reports aren’t available for cars older than 1967. I think it would be hard to drive this car with all those extra gauges under the dash. Factory AC wasn’t available on the 427 cars.
Heavy duty machine here, not for the non-mechanically inclined. Only a true gear head would have paid a thousand extra for that optional race mill. Super nice no matter how many doors it has.
Wow keep them coming long enough so i can get philthy rich and buy Them up. When i go to heaven( oh sure ive been good) its gonna be 1964 im gonna buy one of these and a hemi too. Actually i was born in 64 and in 81 after working all summer i had 750$, i had a choice between a 70 ss 396 for 375$ yes num match 4 speed red black car or a 71 charger 440 auto for 700, i opted for the ss
Curious if the heads are low, medium, or high riser? Or better yet, Tunnel Port, not certain if TP”s were available in ’63?
Those heads & intake are Tunnel Ports. The intake valve push rod went right through a tubed sleeve in the center of the intake runner. I’m not sure what year they became available, but I had a friend that bought a set used in 1967 for $650. He ran a ’61 Star Liner on Woodward Ave in the 60’s.
What is the difference between the NASCAR tunnel port 427’s and the early sixties high riser 427 as I thought the tunnel port 427was only seen in NASCAR in say 1968? Both absolute terrors on the track.
A ’61 Star Liner with any 427 sounds like one hairy machine, on Woodward, oh you lucky guys!
Love Woodward Ave car stories!
Detroit ona Sat is not the only place…
Troy,
Low, medium and high riser heads all had rectangular ports in different sizes. They had to be matched with the appropriate intake manifold. The idea behind the high riser head / intake combination was that to have an intake runner that was as straight as possible between the throttle plate on the carburetor and the intake valve. The low & medium riser heads had more curves in them, and thus restricted the fuel mixture a bit. Due to the design of the engine, the intake port was limited in size due to the intake valve push rod passing by the side of the intake port. The tunnel port heads eliminated this problem by putting a tube sleeve in the center of the intake runner and running the push rod through it. See the above picture and see the size of the ports that fed the huge 2.19 intake valve. A properly set up 427 is capable of 650+ HP on pump gas!
Tom, I grew up at 14 mile & Woodward, and cruised in the mid 60’s to the early 70’s! By the mid 70’s Woodward had really shut down as far as street racing was concerned. I started with motorcycles, and then advanced to cars. I built a Honda 305 Super Hawk for racing and turned a 12.34 1/4 mile @ Detroit Dragway in ’68. I brought it out of the chute @ 13500, and shifted at 14000. I still have the ET ticket! I then built a dual quaded 289, with a beefed up c-4 auto with a 3 grand converter, and a 5.14 rear end. It would shift automatically @ 6800, or I have run it up to 8000, manual shifting. I wished I had a nickel for every gallon of gas I burned up cruising! Back then, tho, gas was only .20 a gallon. We’d complain when it went up to .25 a gallon! Ah, those were the days!
Chuck, great stories! I grew up at 14 1/2 and Woodward and did my cruising in the mid 70’s (and still do today). Good Times!
Not bought for running ‘shine. It has a rear seat. For a tripper, the back seat was left at the dealership. It made more room for product.
My Father was a Ford Dealer in a small town in Indiana during 50’s 60’s 70’s and 80’s. He sold a 4dr Galaxie Sedan to a local farmer that was equipped with an R Code. It was all Black. I will never forget it as I was a young gear head that was too young to have a drivers license….I was tempted to take it for a spin, but knew better. I just drove it into the service bay for Prep. Factory AC was not available. Those were the days………
TC –
As I thought… I was quite certain there was more than one 4 door R code Galaxie built in 1963.
I’ve heard of tire companies and other parts suppliers ordering extreme combos for testing products. Check out the under dash gauges. It appears there is another speedometer along with tach, oil, etc. This is close to being my dream car. Awesome tow vehicle for your track day Cobra. Dam I’d be dangerous with a lot of money
Howard A, use of Ford squad cars in Mayberry continued throughout the series which ended around ’68. Even in Mayberry RFD (a spinoff) I saw Andy driving a new Ford squad car.
Mayberry RFD cast Ken Barry as the sheriff…….Andy made appearances but I don’t think he was driving the squad car at that point. Funny too, I thought Mayberry RFD was sponsored by Chrysler? The opening to the show shows a Mopar in the background. Gomer Pyle USMC was also sponsored by Chrysler and there are tons of great mid-60s muscle machines used in scenes.
so it’s a 3-on-the-tree? I think I
C a third peddle in one pic…
I remember those air cleaners but weren’t there
2 4v Autolite carbs (4100)? ’63s a yr or 3 too early 4 me…
Factory 4 speed shift handle right in front of the AC unit.
I worked on those back then. If I remember right, they came from the factory with a pair of 600 CFM Holleys. The A/C unit is an after market unit, because A/C was not available on a 427. Tuned right, a 427 was capable of 650+ HP. If it won’t run on the throttle, why give it a bottle?
thnx, hard 2 c, not sure i c it now 8^0
thnx, OK, two 1v then…
There are 6 aftermarket gauges below the dash one of the large ones look like a speedo/odometer. The 2 way radio is a control head for a Motorola or GE rig where the transceiver mounts in the trunk. It would be fun to know the history of this more-door rocket ship…
I was surprised to see three of these 427’s at the Dream Cruise this weekend…the sounds that engine makes is pure music.
First 4 door I would really like to own.
I always knew that a few of these existed, but I never thought I would ever see one! However found this ad, thanks so much for posting it! Pictures are better than never ever seeing one! Awesome car!
This reminds me of a car I bought for $350 back in the early 90s and kick myself for ever selling. Mine was totally straight with minimal rust and a dull but intact beige paint job. I drove it for a year or so commuting to Temple U in Philly & then sold it for a slight profit just because I was bored & looking for something else. It had the 289 and that was plenty fast, and it was a coupe! Wonder what that would sell for these days.
I have enjoyed reading these comments on the unicorn 4 door R code Galaxie ordered by the Sheriff of Travis county, or a Deputy Sheriff of the county to be his car. Story has it the sheriff passed away still owning the car and it was sold, few owners in between til I bought it in 2011. Bought it sight unseen, except for the pictures. I was convinced that is the way cars need to be bought. Only if you have a passion for that car! Owned it now for almost 8 years and it is time to let it go, or not. Sounds like the folks that commented on this car have a real passion for real original super performance muscle. And that is not manufacturer specific. Ford Chevy Chrysler, it seems like it was warfare every weekend back then, on every kind of track. Just thought I’d chime in, I’m passionate about this car and this engine that dominated NASCAR and the drag strip, Lemans etc for 7 years.
“…Sounds like the folks that commented on this car have a real passion for real original…”
yes, B4 the bubble grew. I.e. early 60s – body styles anyway, the (2 me) nice straight lines. Later in that decade the big 3 grew bulges over the wheel wells, all p/u the stang’s fast back, & other late 60s clues.
2ndly I personally also like the dwn sized models (dart/nova/falcon) when muscled up. They seem lrg by today’s standards.
And last, (Y not continue – this is all as personal as hair style or lv rm furniture) I’m a wagon fan so stuffin the performance packages (handlin’n breaks) in there is important…
Enjoy the car, thanx 4 da updates!
Any interest – I could talk bout safety upgrades but wouldn’t B oem (late model ford retrofits). Just put at aol after my name above.